|
Commodity Trading Act 1992
2020 REVISED EDITION
This revised edition incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 December 2021 and comes into operation on 31 December 2021
An Act for the regulation of certain types of commodity trading, and for matters connected therewith.
[35/2007]
[27 May 1992]
PART 1
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1. This Act is the Commodity Trading Act 1992.
[22/2001]
Interpretation
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —
“auditor” means a public accountant within the meaning of the Companies Act 1967;
“Board” means the Enterprise Singapore Board established by section 3 of the Enterprise Singapore Board Act 2018;
“business rules”, in relation to a body corporate that maintains or proposes to maintain a commodity market, means the rules, regulations and by-laws, by whatever name called, governing the activities and conduct of —
(a) the body corporate and its members;
(b) its clearing house; and
(c) other persons in relation to the commodity market,
whether those rules, regulations or by-laws are made by the body corporate or are contained in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the body corporate or altered or supplemented by the Board;
“clearing house”, in relation to a commodity market, means a body corporate that —
(a) clears and settles commodity contracts; and
(b) makes adjustments to the contractual obligations arising out of those commodity contracts;
“commodity” means any produce, item, goods or article that is the subject of any —
(a) commodity forward contract;
(b) leveraged commodity trading;
(c) contract made pursuant to trading in differences; or
(d) spot commodity trading,
and includes an index, a right or an interest in such commodity, and such other index, right or interest of any nature as the Board may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe to be a commodity; but does not include any produce, item, goods or article that is the subject of a commodity futures contract and any index, right or interest in such produce, item, goods or article;
“commodity broker” means a person who (whether as principal or agent) carries on the business of soliciting, or accepting orders, for the purchase or sale of any commodity by way of or relating to any commodity contract, whether or not the business is part of, or is carried on in conjunction with, any other business;
“commodity broker’s representative” means a person who acts for, or by arrangement with, a commodity broker (other than a person who is a director of a corporation holding a commodity broker’s licence or is a person who is in the direct employment of a commodity broker) and who performs any of the functions of that commodity broker in connection with trading in commodity forward contracts, or in any leveraged commodity trading, whether the person’s remuneration is by way of commission or otherwise;
“commodity contract” means —
(a) a commodity forward contract;
(b) any contract made pursuant to trading in differences with respect to a commodity, not being a commodity futures contract; or
(c) any contract made pursuant to a transaction in leveraged commodity trading;
“commodity forward contract” means a contract the effect of which is that one party agrees to deliver a specified commodity, or a specified quantity of a specified commodity, to another party at a specified future time and at a specified price payable at that time, but does not include a commodity futures contract;
“commodity futures contract” means —
(a) a contract the effect of which is that —
(i) one party agrees to deliver a specified commodity, or a specified quantity of a specified commodity, to another party at a specified future time and at a specified price payable at that time pursuant to the terms and conditions set out in the business rules of a futures market or pursuant to the business practices of a futures market; or
(ii) the parties will discharge their obligations under the contract by settling the difference between the value of a specified quantity of a specified commodity agreed at the time of the making of the contract and at a specified future time, such difference being determined in accordance with the business rules or practices of the futures market at which the contract is made; or
(b) such other contract or class of contracts as the Board may prescribe,
and includes a futures option transaction;
“commodity market” means —
(a) a market, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, at which commodity contracts are regularly made; or
(b) an electronic system, whether operating in Singapore or elsewhere, through which trading in commodity contracts is carried out, but excludes an electronic facility which merely provides price or other information relating to commodity contracts (whether that facility is part of or carried on in conjunction with the provision of any other information not related to commodity contracts) and which does not permit users of the facility to channel orders for, execute transactions in, or make markets in, commodity contracts;
“commodity pool operator” means any person who carries on a business in the nature of a collective investment scheme within the meaning of section 2 of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 and who, in connection therewith, accepts or receives from other persons funds, security or property, either directly or through capital contributions, the sale of shares or other forms of security or otherwise for the purpose of trading in commodity contracts but does not include any person that the Board may prescribe;
“commodity pool operator’s representative” means a person in the direct employment of, or acting for, or by arrangement with, a commodity pool operator, who performs for that commodity pool operator any of the functions of a commodity pool operator;
“commodity trading adviser” means any person who —
(a) carries on the business of advising others (directly or indirectly, through publications or writings, or by whatever means or media) on the making of commodity contracts, including the advisability of trading in any commodity contract made or to be made on, or subject to the business rules of, a commodity market;
(b) as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning the making of commodity contracts; or
(c) pursuant to a contract or an arrangement with a customer or other person, undertakes on behalf of that customer or other person (whether on a discretionary authority or otherwise granted by the customer or other person) to make any commodity contract for the purposes of managing the client’s funds, but does not include —
(i) a bank or merchant bank licensed under the Banking Act 1970;
(ii) a commodity broker, commodity broker’s representative, commodity pool operator or commodity pool operator’s representative;
(iii) a person who carries on the business of printing or publishing a newspaper and is the holder of a permit issued under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act 1974 where —
(A) insofar as the newspaper is distributed generally to the public it is distributed only to subscribers to, and purchasers of, the newspaper for value;
(B) the advice is given or the analyses or reports are issued or promulgated only through that newspaper; and
(C) that person receives no commission or other consideration for giving the advice or for issuing or promulgating the analyses or reports; and
(iv) any other person that the Board may prescribe,
if and only if the carrying on of the business by the abovementioned persons is solely incidental to the carrying on of their business;
“commodity trading adviser’s representative” means —
(a) a person in the direct employment of, or acting for, or by arrangement with, a commodity trading adviser, who performs for that commodity trading adviser any of the functions of a commodity trading adviser (other than work ordinarily performed by accountants, clerks or cashiers) whether his or her remuneration is by way of salary, wages, commission or otherwise; and
(b) where the commodity trading adviser is a corporation, includes any director, member or officer of the corporation who is not the holder of a commodity trading adviser’s licence and who performs for that corporation any of the functions of a commodity trading adviser (whether or not his or her remuneration is by way of salary, wages, commission or otherwise);
“corporation” has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967;
“customer” means a person on whose account a commodity broker carries on trading in commodity contracts;
“director” has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967;
“financial year” has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967;
“futures market” and “futures option transaction” have the meanings given to those expressions in the Securities and Futures Act 2001;
“leveraged commodity trading” means —
(a) the act of entering into or offering to enter into, or inducing or attempting to induce a person to enter into or offer to enter into, a contract or an arrangement on a margin basis (other than a commodity futures contract) whereby a person undertakes as determined by the terms and conditions of the contract or arrangement —
(i) to make an adjustment between the person and another person according to whether a commodity is worth more or less, at a specified point in time;
(ii) to pay an amount of money determined or to be determined by reference to the change in value of a commodity over a specified period of time; or
(iii) to deliver to another person at an agreed future time an agreed amount of commodities at an agreed price;
(b) the provision by any person referred to in paragraph (a) of any advance, credit facility or loan, directly or indirectly, to facilitate an act of the description referred to in that paragraph; or
(c) the act of entering into or offering to enter into, or inducing or attempting to induce a person to enter into, an arrangement with another person (whether on a discretionary basis or otherwise) to enter into any contract to facilitate an act of the description referred to in paragraph (a) or (b);
“member” means a person who holds a membership of any class or description of a commodity market whether or not the person holds any share in the share capital of that commodity market;
“officer” has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967;
“spot commodity broker” means a person whether as principal or agent who carries on the business of soliciting or accepting orders, for the purchase or sale of any commodity by way of spot commodity trading, whether or not the business is part of, or is carried on in conjunction with, any other business, but does not include a commodity broker;
“spot commodity broker’s representative” means a person who acts for, or by arrangement with, a spot commodity broker (other than a person who is a director of a corporation holding a spot commodity broker’s licence or is a person who is in the direct employment of a spot commodity broker) and who performs any of the functions of that spot commodity broker in connection with spot commodity trading, whether the person’s remuneration is by way of commission or otherwise, but does not include a commodity broker’s representative;
“spot commodity pool operator” means any person who carries on a business in the nature of a collective investment scheme within the meaning of section 2 of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 and who, in connection therewith, accepts or receives from other persons funds, security or property, either directly or through capital contributions, the sale of shares or other forms of security or otherwise for the purpose of spot commodity trading, but does not include a commodity pool operator;
“spot commodity pool operator’s representative” means a person in the direct employment of, or acting for, or by arrangement with, a spot commodity pool operator, who performs for that spot commodity pool operator any of the functions of a spot commodity pool operator, but does not include a commodity pool operator’s representative;
“spot commodity trading” means the purchase or sale of a commodity at its current market or spot price, where it is intended that such transaction results in the physical delivery of the commodity.
[10/2018; 1/2020]
Application
3. This Act does not apply to —
(a) the Singapore Exchange Derivatives Clearing Ltd;
(b) a person operating a clearing facility within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 who —
(i) has notified the Monetary Authority of Singapore of the person’s intent to operate the clearing facility under section 49 of that Act; or
(ii) is exempted under section 53 of that Act;
(c) the holder of a capital markets services licence under the Securities and Futures Act 2001 in respect of leveraged foreign exchange trading, when acting lawfully under that Act,
but only to the extent that the activities carried out by such person are regulated under the Securities and Futures Act 2001.
PART 2
COMMODITY MARKET AND CLEARING HOUSE
Establishment of commodities markets
4.—(1) No person may establish or maintain, assist in establishing or maintaining or hold the person out as providing or maintaining any commodity market unless the commodity market has been approved by the Board under section 5(2).
(2) As from 8 October 2018, subsection (1) ceases to apply in relation to any commodity market —
(a) that is established on or after that date; or
(b) that was approved under subsection (1) before that date, to the extent that it relates to commodity forward contracts.
[4/2017]
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
Power of Board to approve commodity market
5.—(1) A body corporate may apply to the Board for approval as a commodity market in such form and manner as may be prescribed and the body corporate must, in connection with that application, provide such information as the Board may require.
(2) The Board may, in writing, approve a body corporate as a commodity market if it is satisfied that —
(a) the business rules of the body corporate make satisfactory provision for the matters referred to in section 6;
(b) the interests of the public will be served by granting the application.
(3) The Board must not refuse to approve a body corporate as a commodity market under this section without giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard.
Business rules
6.—(1) The business rules of every body corporate which has applied for approval or which has been approved as a commodity market under section 5 must make satisfactory provision —
(a) for the exclusion from membership of persons who are not of good character and high business integrity;
(b) for the expulsion, suspension or disciplining of members for conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles in the transaction of business, or for a contravention of the business rules of the proposed commodity market;
(c) with respect to the terms and conditions under which commodity contracts may be made;
(d) with respect to the clearing and other arrangements made and the financial conditions of the commodity market, its clearing house and its members are such as to provide reasonable assurance that all obligations arising out of any contracts entered into on that commodity market will be met;
(e) that trading practices are fair and properly supervised;
(f) that adequate measures have been taken to prevent manipulation and excessive speculation;
(g) that adequate provision has been made to record and publish details of trading;
(h) with respect to the establishment of a Compensation Fund, or any other scheme or system accepted by the Board, which would compensate customers who suffer pecuniary loss through the defalcation of a member, or any of its directors or employees, in respect of any money or other property that was entrusted to or received by a member, or a director or an employee, for or on behalf of any person or by reason that the member was trustee of the money or other property; and
(i) generally for carrying on the business of the proposed commodity market with due regard to the interests and protection of the public.
(2) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, by regulations prescribe the manner, form and procedure for the making of business rules of a commodity market or clearing house and any amendment thereof; and those regulations may make provision for the Board to disallow the whole or part of any rule or any amendment thereto as it thinks fit.
Revocation of approval
7.—(1) The Board may revoke any approval granted under section 5 if —
(a) the body corporate ceases to operate as a commodity market;
(b) the body corporate is being wound up;
(c) the body corporate is operating in a manner detrimental to the public interest; or
(d) any information provided to the Board under section 5(1) was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a body corporate is deemed to have ceased to operate as a commodity market if it has ceased to operate for more than 30 days unless it has obtained the approval of the Board to do so, or unless it has ceased to operate by virtue of any direction issued by the Board under section 34(1)(a).
Establishment of clearing house
8.—(1) No person may establish, maintain or provide or assist in establishing, maintaining or providing, or hold the person out as maintaining or providing a clearing house for a commodity market unless the person is a body corporate approved as a clearing house under section 9.
(2) As from 8 October 2018, subsection (1) ceases to apply in relation to any clearing house —
(a) that is established on or after that date; or
(b) that was approved under subsection (1) before that date, to the extent that it relates to commodity forward contracts.
[4/2017]
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
Power of Board to approve clearing house
9.—(1) A body corporate may apply to the Board for approval as a clearing house in such form and manner as may be prescribed and the body corporate must, in connection with that application, provide such information as the Board may require.
(2) The Board may in writing approve a body corporate as a clearing house if it is satisfied that —
(a) the business rules of the body corporate make satisfactory provision relating to the registration of, and guaranteeing to its members of the performance of, commodity contracts made in a commodity market; and
(b) the interests of the public will be served by granting the application.
Appeal to Minister
10. A person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Board made under section 5, 7 or 9 may, within 30 days of the decision, appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
Liabilities of commodity market and clearing house
11.—(1) A person, who is aggrieved by the failure of a commodity market or a clearing house or any of the directors or employees of the commodity market or clearing house to enforce its business rules or by the contravention of this Act or any regulations made under this Act in the enforcement of the business rules, has a right of action in damages for the actual amount of damages suffered by that person —
(a) in any transaction that the person has entered into on or subject to the business rules of a commodity market; and
(b) that is directly attributable to the failure to enforce the business rules, or the contravention of this Act or any regulations made under this Act in the enforcement of the business rules.
(2) No action for damages shall lie against a commodity market or a clearing house, or any of its directors or employees under subsection (1) unless the aggrieved person can show that, in failing to take action or in taking such action as was taken resulting in loss to the aggrieved person, the commodity market or the clearing house, or any of the directors or employees, acted in bad faith.
(3) The right of action conferred by this section is the exclusive remedy available to any person who suffers loss as a result of an alleged failure of a commodity market or a clearing house, or any of its directors or employees, to enforce its business rules, or the contravention of this Act or any regulations made under this Act in the enforcement of the business rules.
PART 3
LICENCES
Commodity broker’s licence
12.—(1) No person, whether as principal or agent, may —
(a) carry on business as a commodity broker; or
(b) hold the person out as carrying on such a business, unless the person —
(i) is licensed as a commodity broker under this Act; and
(ii) trades in accordance with the business rules and practices of a commodity market on which the trading takes place.
(2) As from 8 October 2018, subsection (1) ceases to apply to any person who commences business as a commodity broker on or after that date.
[4/2017]
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
Other licences
13.—(1) Subject to section 14A, no person may act as, or hold the person out as —
(a) a commodity broker’s representative;
(b) a commodity trading adviser;
(c) a commodity trading adviser’s representative;
(d) a commodity pool operator; or
(e) a commodity pool operator’s representative,
unless the person is the holder of a licence granted under this Part that authorises the person to act as such.
(2) As from 8 October 2018, subsection (1) ceases to apply to any person who —
(a) in relation to subsection (1)(a), is a commodity broker’s representative of a commodity broker mentioned in section 12(2) who does not hold a transitional licence;
(b) in relation to subsection (1)(b), commences business as a commodity trading adviser on or after that date;
(c) in relation to subsection (1)(c), is a commodity trading adviser’s representative of a commodity trading adviser mentioned in paragraph (b) who does not hold a transitional licence;
(d) in relation to subsection (1)(d), commences business as a commodity pool operator on or after that date; or
(e) in relation to subsection (1)(e), is a commodity pool operator’s representative of a commodity pool operator mentioned in paragraph (d) who does not hold a transitional licence.
[4/2017]
(3) A holder of a commodity broker’s licence is not required to hold a commodity trading adviser’s licence.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(a) for an offence under subsection (1)(b) or (d) to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both;
(b) for an offence under subsection (1)(a), (c) or (e) to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
(5) In this section, “transitional licence” has the meaning given by section 66.
[4/2017]
Licence for spot commodity trading
13A.—(1) Subject to section 14A, no person may act as, or hold the person out as —
(a) a spot commodity broker;
(b) a spot commodity broker’s representative;
(c) a spot commodity pool operator; or
(d) a spot commodity pool operator’s representative,
unless the person is the holder of a licence granted under this Part that authorises the person to act as such.
(2) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations for or with respect to —
(a) the activities of, and standards to be maintained by, spot commodity brokers, spot commodity broker’s representatives, spot commodity pool operators and spot commodity pool operator’s representatives;
(b) accounts or other records to be kept by spot commodity brokers and spot commodity pool operators;
(c) the powers of the Board in examining any accounts or records kept by spot commodity brokers and spot commodity pool operators, including the appointment of an auditor to audit the accounts or records;
(d) the segregation of customer’s funds by spot commodity brokers; and
(e) the powers of the Board —
(i) to order the production of any books, accounts or records kept by spot commodity brokers and spot commodity pool operators;
(ii) to order the provision of any information relating to the business of spot commodity brokers and spot commodity pool operators;
(iii) to carry out investigations with respect to any contravention against this Act; and
(iv) to issue directions to any spot commodity broker, spot commodity broker’s representative, spot commodity pool operator or spot commodity pool operator’s representative to cease contravention of any provision in this Act.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(a) for an offence under subsection (1)(a) or (c), to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both; or
(b) for an offence under subsection (1)(b) or (d), to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Power of Board to grant licences and impose conditions, etc.
14. The Board may grant or renew a licence under this Part subject to such conditions or restrictions as it thinks fit and for such period as the Board may determine.
Exemption from this Part
14A.—(1) Subject to such conditions as the Board may impose, the persons specified in the Schedule are exempted, to the extent specified in the Schedule, from any provision of this Part.
(2) The Board may, by order in the Gazette, amend the Schedule.
Grounds for refusal to grant or renew licences
15.—(1) Where an applicant is an individual, the Board may refuse to grant or renew a licence under this Part on the ground that —
(a) the applicant has not provided the Board with such information relating to him or her or any person employed by or associated with him or her for the purposes of his or her business, and to any circumstances likely to affect his or her method of conducting business, as may be prescribed under this Act;
(b) the applicant is an undischarged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors;
(c) it appears to the Board that, by reason of the applicant, or any person employed by or associated with him or her for the purposes of his or her business, having been convicted, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, of an offence the conviction for which involved a finding that he or she acted fraudulently or dishonestly, or having been convicted of an offence under this Act, or having committed a breach of any regulations made under this Act relating to licensed persons, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be licensed;
(d) the Board reasonably believes that there may be any circumstance that is likely to lead to the improper conduct of business by, or the reflection of discredit on the method of conducting such business by, the applicant or any person employed by or associated with him or her for the purpose of his or her business;
(e) the applicant is, in the view of the Board, not a fit and proper person to be licensed;
(f) the Board is not satisfied that the educational or other qualifications or experience of the applicant would enable him or her to carry out all the duties of a licensee;
(g) the Board has reason to believe that the applicant will not be able to perform the functions of a licensee in an efficient, honest and fair manner;
(h) the Board has reason to believe that the applicant may not be able to act in the best interests of his or her customers or subscribers, having regard to his or her reputation, character, financial integrity or reliability;
(i) the financial standing of the applicant is, in the view of the Board, unsatisfactory;
(j) the past performance or expertise of the applicant is, in the view of the Board, unsatisfactory; or
(k) the Board is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so.
(2) Where an applicant is a corporation, the Board may refuse to grant or renew a licence under this Part on the ground that —
(a) the applicant has not provided the Board with such information relating to it or any person employed by or associated with it for the purposes of its business, and to any circumstances likely to affect its method of conducting business, as may be prescribed under this Act;
(b) the applicant has at any time prior to the application entered into any composition or arrangement with its creditors;
(c) it appears to the Board that, by reason of the applicant, or any of its directors or employees, having been convicted, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, of an offence the conviction for which involved a finding that it or he or she acted fraudulently or dishonestly, or having been convicted of an offence under this Act, or having committed a breach of any regulations made under this Act relating to licensed persons, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be licensed;
(d) it appears to the Board that, by reason of any other circumstances which either are likely to lead to the improper conduct of business by, or reflect discredit on the method of conducting the business of, the applicant or any of its directors or employees, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be licensed;
(e) the financial standing of the applicant or its substantial shareholder or the manner in which its business is conducted is, in the view of the Board, unsatisfactory;
(f) the record of past performance or expertise of the applicant is, in the view of the Board, unsatisfactory, having regard to the nature of the business which the applicant may carry on under the licence;
(g) the Board reasonably believes that there may be any circumstance that is likely to lead to the improper conduct of business by, or the reflection of discredit on the method of conducting such business by, the applicant or its substantial shareholder or any of its directors, officers or employees; or
(h) the Board is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so.
(3) Despite anything in this Part, the Board may refuse to grant or renew a licence under this Part where the applicant fails to meet such minimum financial requirements as are prescribed by the Board or provided in such business rules of a commodity market as have been approved by the Board.
(4) In subsection (2), “substantial shareholder”, in relation to an applicant which is a body corporate, has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967.
Regulations relating to licences
16. The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations —
(a) for the form and manner in which an application for a licence or for the renewal of a licence under this Part is to be made;
(b) prescribing fees payable to the Board in respect of the licences;
(c) requiring such information as it considers necessary in relation to the application;
(d) for the imposition of any conditions or restrictions as it thinks fit;
(e) prescribing the appropriate standards with respect to the qualifications, experience and training of applicants for licences under this Part;
(f) for establishing and maintaining a register of licensed persons; and
(g) for requiring the holder of a licence under this Part to notify the Board of such change of particulars and information as may be prescribed.
False statements
17. A person who, in connection with an application for a licence or for the renewal of a licence, wilfully makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular, knowing it to be false or misleading, or wilfully omits to state any matter or thing without which the application is misleading in a material respect, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Revocation of licence
18.—(1) A licence is deemed to be revoked, in the case of —
(a) an individual, if the individual dies;
(b) a corporation, if the corporation is wound up.
(2) Where a licensed person is an individual, the Board may revoke a licence —
(a) on any ground on which the Board may refuse to grant a licence under section 15(1) or (3);
(b) if an enforcement order in respect of the licensed person has not been satisfied;
[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
(c) if the licensed person fails or ceases to carry on business for which he or she was licensed;
(d) if, in the case of a representative, the licence of the commodity broker, commodity trading adviser or commodity pool operator, in relation to whom the licence was granted, is revoked;
(e) if the Board has reason to believe that the licensed person has not performed his or her duties efficiently, honestly or fairly; or
(f) if the licensed person contravenes or fails to comply with any of the conditions or restrictions applicable in respect of the licence.
(3) Where a licensed person is a corporation, the Board may revoke a licence —
(a) on any ground on which the Board may refuse to grant a licence under section 15(2) or (3);
(b) if it is being or will be wound up;
(c) if an enforcement order in respect of it has not been satisfied;
[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
(d) if it has entered into any composition or arrangement with its creditors;
(e) if it fails or ceases to carry on business for which it was licensed;
(f) if the Board has reason to believe that the licensed person, or any of its directors or employees, has not performed its, his or her duties efficiently, honestly or fairly; or
(g) if the licensed person contravenes or fails to comply with any of the conditions or restrictions applicable in respect of the licence.
(4) The Board may revoke the licence of a person at the request of the person.
(5) The Board must not revoke a licence under subsection (2) or (3) without first giving the person an opportunity of being heard.
Powers of Board in cases of misconduct, etc.
19.—(1) The Board may inquire into any allegation that a licensed person is or has been guilty of any misconduct or is no longer a fit and proper person to continue to remain licensed by reason of any other circumstances which have led, or are likely to lead, to the improper conduct of business by the licensed person or to reflect discredit on the method of conducting the licensed person’s business.
(2) If, after inquiring into an allegation under subsection (1) against a licensed person, the Board is of the opinion that the allegation is proved, the Board may if it thinks fit —
(a) revoke the licence of the person;
(b) suspend the licence of the person for such period, or until the happening of such event, as the Board may determine; or
(c) reprimand the person.
(3) The Board must, at the hearing of an inquiry into an allegation under subsection (1) against a licensed person, give the person an opportunity of being heard.
(4) Where the Board is satisfied, after making an inquiry into an allegation under subsection (1), that the allegation has been made in bad faith or that it is otherwise frivolous or vexatious, it may, by written order, require the person who made the allegation to pay any costs and expenses involved in the inquiry.
(5) In this section, “misconduct” means —
(a) any failure to comply with the requirements of this Act or any regulations made under this Act with respect to licensed persons; and
(b) any act or omission relating to the conduct of business of a licensed person which is or is likely to be prejudicial to the public interest.
Effect of revocation or suspension of licence
20.—(1) A person whose licence is revoked under section 18 or revoked or suspended under section 19 is, for the purposes of this Part, deemed not to be licensed from the date that the Board revokes or suspends the licence, as the case may be.
(2) A revocation or suspension of a licence of a person does not operate so as to —
(a) avoid or affect any agreement, transaction or arrangement relating to the trading in commodity contracts entered into by the person, whether the agreement, transaction or arrangement was entered into before or after the revocation or suspension of the licence; or
(b) affect any right, obligation or liability arising under any such agreement, transaction or arrangement.
Appeal against refusal to license, etc.
21. Where —
(a) the Board refuses to grant or renew a licence under section 15;
(b) the Board revokes a licence under section 18; or
(c) the licence is revoked or suspended, or a licensed person is reprimanded, under section 19,
any person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Board may, within one month after the person is notified of the decision, appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
|
|